Steve will come up to make us smile

Rock legend Steve Harley is coming up to Doncaster to make music lovers smile.

The singer, best known for 1970s smash hit number one Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) is heading out on a UK tour to mark 40 years in the music business this November. And he will be in Doncaster for one night only on November 8 for a trip that will take fans down memory lane.

The original Cockney Rebel returns with a tour of the UK this autumn with The Best Years Of Our Lives 40th Anniversary Tour which will visit venues across the country, with more dates to be added. The show will comprise one set of tracks compiled from fans’ requests, submitted via a special online link, plus a performance of The Best Years Of Our Lives album itself in its entirety, for the first time ever.

Released in March 1975, the album contained the monster hits Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) and Mr. Raffles (Man It Was Mean) and for many marked the true arrival of Steve Harley as a songwriter of true verve and sophistication.

Steve said: “Fans have been urging me to play ‘The Best Years’ album straight through for some time, and now is the time! We’ll play some out-takes and B-sides of the period, too.

“I’m really excited by the prospect of tracks like Back To The Farm getting an airing after so many years.

“I might play a slow, bluesy Make Me Smile, as I presented it to the band originally, as track six, then the full-blown version at the end of the night. It’s a tough one to follow!”

Steve is hoping to recruit original Best Years band members, guitarist Jim Cregan, drummer Stuart Elliott and keyboard player Duncan Mackay for the tour, with long-standing Cockney Rebel member Barry Wickens on violin and guitar.

Also in the line-up will be young Austrian musicians, the twins Lisa and Mona Wagner, playing second lead guitar and percussion respectively.

Steve added: “The three guys are still my mates. The fun we had back then, when we toured and recorded together, holds fabulous and special memories.

“I take life on the road a lot more seriously now, though, so they’d better be prepared! I’m thrilled to think they’ll be up there on the great UK concert hall stages with me once again.”

Cregan left Harley’s band to join Rod Stewart, staying with him for several years, while Elliott has played with Kate Bush, Paul McCartney and Al Stewart and has long been considered one of London’s most sought-after session drummers. Mackay left Harley to join 10CC and has continued his career in Cape Town, South Africa.